you could do that......in high school all the girls learned self-defense while all the guys played basketball....that was freshman year and then we were alone to fend for ourselves.....of course, the things that we learned only helped is you were kidnapped, b/c trust me i tried to fight off....anyway, if a gun makes you feel safe then go for training!!!!

i took a lot of self defense classes but when it actually happened i froze i didn't know what else to do he had a knife and it didn't help me until the end when he was fiinished and i realized he was going to kill me then my instinct kicked in and i fought him he beat me up pretty good but i eventually got away and in the end it saved my life.

I learned some self-defense things in high school. I remembered them when I was attacked, but I just froze. The mind worked, but the body would not cooperate.

#3;
Gidzmo, that kind of reaction could be dangerous to people anywhere in range if you had a handgun.
Tom S.

What, the freezing? Yeah, a weapon wouldn't have been much help.

You might want to check the rules and regs of your home state. Some will let you open-carry, some won't.

#5;
They absolutely love guns here in the south.
Our now former (people took a stand by-God) state senator passed legislation so loaded weapons could be carried even into bars and establishments where liquor is sold and drinking taking place, all in the name of public safety.
I saw him recently and spoke to him briefly. My first nursing job was working for his father at the local hospital he founded.
My youngest had a government class under him, and told him publicly he needed to rethink his position. I love that kid!

At any rate, the Brady Bill applies everywhere but here in the south it seems. Every step Chicago and other regions made forward, the south undermined. They even carry their guns to church on Sunday here, to exhibit their God given rights........
Didn't work for Bill Brady or President Regan, but I bet all that changes back and quicker than ever since a 'female' senator was gunned down.

But back on topic.
I don't feel the need to be violent. Do you think all this taught to you in rape crisis centers and YWCA is a benefit ?
Being a 'male' victim, I don't have access to any of that, so gun safety is all I could think of.

Comments..........
Tom S. in Tn.

p.s. gizmo, did you get your chocolate huggie? I never got mine.

For some people taking self defense or being trained to use a gun it helps and help them to feel a sense of power and control and a little safer. The truth is that you can know how to defend yourself and how to use a gun and it is still possible for you to get raped. There are many different kinds of rape and many different situations in which rape can occur.

Some times people are drugged and then raped or raped while they are knocked out and in that case it doesn't matter how much training you have. And rape can often take place with someone we know and with someone that we let our guard down with. It can happen rather quickly when you don't have time to respond with what you were taught in training.

I am not trying to discourage any one from taking some defense classes or from learning how to use a gun. I am just saying that rape can happen to anyone and being a victm of rape doesn't mean that you are weak and that you can't defend yourself. Thank you for sharing and asking that question though Tomsintn. It is a very good question.

Since posting this and thinking at length, I'm sorry but I believe the rape crisis and YWCA crowd do you gals a disservice.

There just has to be another way to obtain power and sense of control other than violence.
Isn't that what put us in this situation in the beginning ?

I wish there was someone with enough intellect to describe the kinds of power that come through decency, decorum and self respect.
There is enough stress as it is.
Tom S. in Tn.

#10;
No sweetheart, I'm quite serious.

I hope living at the violent level of your attacker will continue to make you happy (and healthy) through the years.

But as for me, I want the freedom that comes without fear and trepidation........... and having to defend myself against people who think violence cures violence.

I bet you've never experienced that have you.
Tom S. in Tn.

# 12;
You sound like a real sweet girl.
Flowers sent !
:)
Tom S. in Tn.

Self-defense or other fighting skills help also make you feel empowered and give you a sense of community with others, not to metion a great workout. I feel everyone should do something along these lines. Right now I am doing MMA like stuff which I feel improvement already in my attidude and my strength to take someone down. It also makes you feel stronger inside and out, that no one is going to hurt you again. The problem with weapons is you have to have it with you at all times and you might not have the chance to grab it before you are attacked. It also has the chance of being used against you, where as your fists cannot. I recommend it. Also there are programs that offer it for free for victims of abuse. Even if you do by a weapon I would also get self-defense training just in case, especially if you want to prevent your weapon being used on you.